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ambitions - 2 dictionary results

am⋅bi⋅tion

  [am-bish-uhn]
Use ambitions in a Sentence
–noun
1. an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction, as power, honor, fame, or wealth, and the willingness to strive for its attainment: Too much ambition caused him to be disliked by his colleagues.
2. the object, state, or result desired or sought after: The crown was his ambition.
3. desire for work or activity; energy: I awoke feeling tired and utterly lacking in ambition.
–verb (used with object)
4. to seek after earnestly; aspire to.
Origin:
1300–50; ME ambicio(u)n (< MF) < L ambitiōn- (s. of ambitiō), equiv. to amb- ambi- + -i- go + -t- ptp. suffix + -iōn- -ion

Related forms:
am⋅bi⋅tion⋅less, adjective
am⋅bi⋅tion⋅less⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. aspiration, yearning, longing. 2. goal, aim. 3. drive, force.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To ambitions
am·bi·tion   (ām-bĭsh'ən)   
n.  
    1. An eager or strong desire to achieve something, such as fame or power.
    2. The object or goal desired: Her ambition is the presidency.
  2. Desire for exertion or activity; energy: had no ambition to go dancing.

[Middle English ambicioun, excessive desire for honor, power, or wealth, from Old French ambition, from Latin ambitiō, ambitiōn-, from ambitus, past participle of ambīre, to go around (for votes); see ambient.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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